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claudcloud 's review for:

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
5.0
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”

 Listen. Listen to me. I like Greek mythology a lot, and I’ve learned quite a bit about it over my years around the sun. Which is to say, I knew exactly what I was getting into when I decided to finally (FINALLY) read this. 
Did it make it hurt any less? Absolutely not.

This story is masterfully written, beautifully told, and heartbreakingly inevitable. There is nothing that can prepare you for the rollercoaster of emotions that it will take you on - and once you’re in it, you’re in for the whole ride, so buckle up! 

Achilles shines through Patroclus’ eyes. There is no one in history that could’ve painted a more honest, beautiful portrait of him, and it shows through Madeline’s writing. The love that these two boys have for each other is palpable with every single word. Patroclus keeps Achilles with his feet on the ground, while Achilles makes Patroclus brave. From the moment they meet, there’s this sense of destiny - they were fated companions, just like they were fated to fall in love, just like they are fated to die. You know that the wheels of the gods and the universe are turning at every point, and all you want is for them to stop, but you are just as powerless to stop it as they are. I’m honestly not sure whether that makes it better or worse (better, infinitely better). I’ll be honest and say that I braced myself for the pain, but I also did not expect this book to make me cry. There were so many little moments, so many little nods to characters and events that are so prominent in the history of the Trojan war that you can’t help but know exactly what their purpose is, so many instances of foreshadowing that subtly warn you, “Hey, remember the thing? Yeah it’s about to happen so be ready.” You can never be ready. As soon as we reached Patroclus’ death, I got teary, but that was it - which promptly lulled me into a false sense of security before the last 30 pages or so completely obliterated me. I’m talking sobbing. It’s been only a few minutes since I read the last pages, and I still can’t look at the cover without it making me cry again.


I’m so thankful and so happy that I got to read it, even if it’s been so long overdue. It’s the only thing I can be, with a book that made me feel so much. I will hold it close to my heart forever - and if you know me in real life and my eyes proceed to get misty as soon as I start talking about it, please don’t tell me HAHAH